Jared Brennan
Encyclopedia
Jared Brennan is a professional Australian rules football
er currently playing with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League
.
and Australian football at junior levels. Brennan grew up a passionate rugby league supporter, but also supported the Essendon Football Club
in the AFL.
Brennan was first identified as a potential AFL talent during his All-Australian performance at the AFL National Under 18 Championships
and was co-captain of the Northern Territory side.
He played senior football with Southern Districts
where he was drafted to the AFL as the third draft pick in the 2002 AFL Draft
.
in Round 4, 2003 against Collingwood
.
Inconsistent form in his early career led to speculation that Brennan would be traded to another club. Coach Leigh Matthews, switched him to the forward line in mid 2007, and against West Coast Eagles
in Round 14, Brennan appeared to come of age, leading the charge with four goals.
He followed it up with a personal record of 7 goals against the Collingwood Football Club
in round 17.
Season 2008 was arguably Brennan's most consistent to date. Used predominantly as an impact player in the midfield, Brennan proved himself to be a capable clearance winner and played a decisive hand in several close victories. Brennan capped off his 2008 season with a top 5 placing in the 2008 Brisbane Lions club championship
and selection in the Australian International Rules squad.
Brennan is well known for his flashy, unorthodox playing style and his tendency to carry the ball in one hand.
He is often compared to former Brisbane premiership player Darryl White
due to a similar playing style and the ability to play different positions.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er currently playing with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early life
Brennan was born and raised in Darwin in the Northern Territory, where he played rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
and Australian football at junior levels. Brennan grew up a passionate rugby league supporter, but also supported the Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the AFL.
Brennan was first identified as a potential AFL talent during his All-Australian performance at the AFL National Under 18 Championships
AFL National Under 18 Championships
The NAB AFL Under 18 Championships are the annual national Australian rules football championships for players aged 18 years or younger. The competition is seen as one of the main pathways towards being drafted into a team in the fully professional Australian Football League...
and was co-captain of the Northern Territory side.
He played senior football with Southern Districts
Southern Districts Football Club
The Southern Districts Football Club, nicknamed, Crocs, is an Australian rules football club established in 1981. The club plays in the Northern Territory Football League at semi-professional level....
where he was drafted to the AFL as the third draft pick in the 2002 AFL Draft
2002 AFL Draft
The 2002 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and the elevation of rookies. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 2002...
.
Brisbane Lions career (2003–2010)
Brennan made his debut for the Brisbane LionsBrisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
in Round 4, 2003 against Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
.
Inconsistent form in his early career led to speculation that Brennan would be traded to another club. Coach Leigh Matthews, switched him to the forward line in mid 2007, and against West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
in Round 14, Brennan appeared to come of age, leading the charge with four goals.
He followed it up with a personal record of 7 goals against the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in round 17.
Season 2008 was arguably Brennan's most consistent to date. Used predominantly as an impact player in the midfield, Brennan proved himself to be a capable clearance winner and played a decisive hand in several close victories. Brennan capped off his 2008 season with a top 5 placing in the 2008 Brisbane Lions club championship
Merrett-Murray Medal
The Merrett–Murray Medal has been awarded annually since 1997, to the player adjudged the Brisbane Lions Club Champion over the immediately preceding AFL season...
and selection in the Australian International Rules squad.
Brennan is well known for his flashy, unorthodox playing style and his tendency to carry the ball in one hand.
He is often compared to former Brisbane premiership player Darryl White
Darryl White
Darryl White is a former Australian rules footballer whose career with the Brisbane Bears and Lions in the Australian Football League lasted from 1992 to 2005....
due to a similar playing style and the ability to play different positions.